juniorPHP
What is the difference between echo and print in PHP?
Updated May 24, 2026
Short answer
Both output data, but echo is slightly faster and can output multiple strings, while print returns a value.
Deep explanation
echo is a language construct without a return value. print behaves similarly but returns 1, allowing it to be used in expressions. echo supports multiple parameters and is marginally more performant.
Real-world example
echo is commonly used in templates for rendering HTML content dynamically.
Common mistakes
- Assuming print is a function and trying to pass multiple parameters.
Follow-up questions
- Why is echo faster?
- Can echo be used with parentheses?